Nassella trichotoma
| Nassella trichotoma | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Pooideae |
| Genus: | Nassella |
| Species: | N. trichotoma
|
| Binomial name | |
| Nassella trichotoma (Hack. ex Arech.)
| |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Nassella trichotoma, commonly known as the serrated tussock, is a type of bunchgrass plant, native in Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, and Peru.
It is on the list of Weeds of National Significance in Australia, reducing the productivity of pasture and creating a fire hazard. In many states, landowners are required by law to keep their land free of this plant. Herbicides that control the plant are generally expensive monetarily, contributing to its growth in countries such as Australia.[2]
In New Zealand is classed as an unwanted organism by Biosecurity New Zealand and is under strict control regimes by some of the regional councils.[3]
Characteristics
Nassella trichotoma tends to grow cespitose (in dense tufts), and stands about 20 cm (7.9 inches) to 60 cm (24 inches) tall. The branches usually grow between two and 6 cm (2.4 inches) long, and the caryopses (simple fruits) grow around 1.2 mm (0.047 in) long.[4] The plants tend to produce a large quantity of seeds, utilizing the wind to spread them over long distances.[5] The plant is similar in appearance and size to indigenous plants of Oceania, which caused a delay in it being recognized as a serious weed.[6]
See also
References
- ^ The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species, retrieved 31 December 2016
- ^ Jacobs, Surrey (19 May 2000). Grasses | Systematics and Evolution. VIC, Australia: CSIRO. p. 359. ISBN 9780643099005.
- ^ "Nassella". MPI Biosecurity New Zealand. 24 March 2009. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
- ^ Flora of North America. Vol. 24. Logan, Utah: Flora of North America Association, Utah State University. 1993. p. 177. OCLC 1423074256.
- ^ Williams, Nicholas; Morgan, John; Marshall, Adrian (22 April 2015). Land of Sweeping Plains | Managing and Restoring the Native Grasslands of South-eastern Australia. VIC, Australia: CSIRO. p. 242. ISBN 9781486300822.
- ^ Burdôt, G.; Hurrell, G.; Saville, D. (1992). "Eradication of nassella tussock (Nasella trichotoma), an unlikely outcome of grubbing". New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research. 35 (3): 245. doi:10.1080/00288233.1992.10427501.
External links
- Weeds Australia - Weeds of National Significance - Serrated Tussock
- Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party